Tag: barack obama

Obama Needs to Expand on His Good Instincts in Foreign Policy

Although the tentacles of Baracktopus have slithered into as many parts of American life as those of his "big government Republican" predecessor, Obama does seem to have much better instincts in foreign policy than George W. Bush. But lest that be seen as damning by faint praise, let’s just say that Obama, like the Washington … Continue reading “Obama Needs to Expand on His Good Instincts in Foreign Policy”

US Pushing Beyond Settlement Freeze

JERUSALEM – "Nobody can usurp the right to determine the fate of the nation on their own – not the Palestine Liberation Organization, nor anyone else. It is the will of the Palestinian people that must determine our future," declares Hamas political leader in Gaza Ismail Haniyeh. Haniyeh was speaking Sunday at the onset of … Continue reading “US Pushing Beyond Settlement Freeze”

Obama’s High Noon

Recent events indicate that President Barack Obama is considering cutting the Pentagon’s "long war" short. First came his decision to drop the Bush administration policy of demanding that Iran cede its right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes as a precondition to diplomatic talks. Then he canceled Bush’s pledge to deploy a missile-defense system that … Continue reading “Obama’s High Noon”

Polish Missile Joke Revisited

This Polish missile-defense system walks into a bar at noon and says, "Give me six shots of vodka." "How can you afford to get drunk in the middle of a business day?" the bartender asks. "Easy," the Polish missile-defense system replies. "I don’t work." There’s a good reason nobody ever accused John McCain of being … Continue reading “Polish Missile Joke Revisited”

Obama Confronts Democratic Skepticism About Afghanistan

Growing skepticism among key Democratic lawmakers about the U.S. commitment to the war in Afghanistan is certain to pose one of the most difficult political challenges faced by President Barack Obama in his first year in office. With the military apparently preparing to press for a significant increase in the number of U.S. troops deployed … Continue reading “Obama Confronts Democratic Skepticism About Afghanistan”

Will Obama Veto Pork, or Enable It?

On Aug. 17 at the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Phoenix, President Barack Obama gave waste and pork in the defense budget a thorough tongue-lashing. It was well said, but also a little pathetic if you consider what the porkers in Congress are up to. The words flew high: Obama promised an end to “the … Continue reading “Will Obama Veto Pork, or Enable It?”

What Price Afghanistan?

Has the U.S. lost the Afghan war, even before President Obama’s "surge" is plugged in and the "COIN" strategy is put in place? "Clear, hold, and build": – that’s the "new" counterinsurgency doctrine [.pdf] being touted by the Center for a New American Strategy (CNAS), Obama’s favorite national security think-tank, as the salvation of our … Continue reading “What Price Afghanistan?”

Measuring a War Gone to Hell

Here may be the single strangest fact of our American world: that at least three administrations – Ronald Reagan’s, George W. Bush’s, and now Barack Obama’s – drew the U.S. “defense” perimeter at the Hindu Kush; that is, in the rugged, mountainous lands of Afghanistan. Put another way, while Americans argue feverishly and angrily over … Continue reading “Measuring a War Gone to Hell”

To Escalate the Escalation?

The debate rages among experts on whether to escalate the escalation of Barack Obama’s "war of necessity" in Afghanistan – seemingly oblivious to American public opinion at home that has turned against waging the conflict at all. During even the best of times, Washington can be isolated from the rest of the country and world. … Continue reading “To Escalate the Escalation?”

The General Who Would Be King

Forgive the smug self-congratulation, but you heard it here first, folks. I’ve been hinting since February that "King David" Petraeus, the "genius" of the surge in Iraq who is now in charge of all our woebegone Middle East wars as head of Central Command, was a leading candidate to be the GOP’s great white hope … Continue reading “The General Who Would Be King”